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Who are the top-three run-scorers and wicket-takers in IPL 2025 after Monday night’s action?

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Apr-20252:26

Rayudu: ‘Patidar’s was a brilliant middle-order batting innings’

Orange Cap leaderboardNicholas Pooran, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) No. 3, is still on top of the run-scorers’ table, with 201 runs from four innings, but other batters are catching up with him.Like MI’s Suryakumar Yadav. Suryakumar has been one of the brightest spots in an otherwise bleak MI set-up, and his sequence of 29, 48, 27*, 67 and 28 has taken him to No. 2, knocking Mitchell Marsh out of the top three.GT opener B Sai Sudharsan has moved down to third spot after Monday’s game. He has scores of 5, 49, 63 and 74 – 191 runs from four innings.Hardik Pandya has been among the wickets for MI•Associated PressPurple Cap leaderboardNoor Ahmad, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) left-arm wristspinner, has been joined by MI captain Hardik Pandya at the top, both returning ten wickets so far, from four games each. Noor has a better economy rate, though – 7.86 – compared to Hardik’s 8.57.There’s a tie just below them, too.Mitchell Starc is at third place, since his nine wickets have come from one fewer bowling innings, three, as compared to Mohammed Siraj’s nine from four.Starc has been one of the standout strike bowlers in the tournament so far, returning 3 for 42, 5 for 35 and 1 for 27, while Siraj has got a move on after a poor start. After figures of none for 54 in his first appearance of the season, Siraj has picked up 2 for 34, 3 for 19 and 4 for 17 to move up the ladder quickly.

Allrounder Delano Potgieter did not think he would be part of MI Cape Town’s (MICT) bowling attack on the opening day of SA20 2025. Yet, he was at the front and centre with his seam bowling, helping his team hand two-time defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape a 97-run drubbing in Gqeberha. That was in part because his “phenomenal captain” Rashid Khan backed him with the ball, a trust he repaid with a five-for.”Everyone’s got different plans, for different venues and all of that,” Potgieter said. “We have an amazing bowling line-up: KG [Rabada], Trent [Boult], Boschy [Corbin Bosch], with the spinners George [Linde] and Rash [Rashid]. They bowl the bulk of the overs. So there was no need for me to bowl. And, yeah, the captain threw me the ball tonight and I was extremely happy about it, and it turned out perfectly.”Earlier in the day, Potgieter had scored an unbeaten 25 off 12 balls to lift MICT to 174 for 7. In the second half of the game, coming in as the sixth bowler, he took 5 for 10 from three overs to give MICT their first win against Sunrisers in five outings.”I also looked at that stat this morning,” Potgieter said. “It’s only the first game of the tournament but it’s nice to start off with the win.”Before Thursday, Potgieter had 34 wickets in 64 T20 games. But this was the first time he was bowling for MICT across 12 matches in three seasons of the SA20.”I couldn’t ask for a better day for it,” he said. “It happened so quickly. I was standing at the top of my mark, and I just said, ‘I’m just going to try to hit the top of the stumps,’ and fortunate enough for me, it worked out perfectly.”

Steven Smith will captain in the two Tests with Pat Cummins remaining at home for the birth of his second child and to manage an ankle injury

Andrew McGlashan09-Jan-2025Cooper Connolly has earned his first Test call up and Nathan McSweeney has been recalled for Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka while Sam Konstas and Beau Webster are both included after making impressive starts to their careers.Left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann and offspinner Todd Murphy will join Nathan Lyon to provide three frontline spinners for what are expected to be favourable conditions in Galle which will host both Tests.Related

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However, the Test career of Mitchell Marsh is now in significant doubt after he couldn’t find a place among the 16 names following his omission for the final Test against India.The team will be captained by Steven Smith in the absence of Pat Cummins who will be on paternity leave and recovering from an ankle injury he has managed during the home summer. Josh Hazlewood has also been left out to focus on preparing for the Champions Trophy after his India series was curtailed by a calf injury.”Sri Lanka is a challenging and exciting place to tour given the different conditions the players may experience,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “This squad provides several ways to structure the XI depending on what type of wickets they may encounter in each match.”We are excited about the opportunity ahead for the squad members who are at the start of their Test careers to continue to grow their games in subcontinent conditions where we have a number of important tours in coming years.”McSweeney was dropped after the third Test against India when the selectors wanted to “throw something different” at India which led to Konstas’ dramatic debut. But at the time Bailey said they remained confident that McSweeney had the game for Test cricket.Connolly, the 21-year-old Western Australia left hander and left-arm spinner, provides another all-round option in the squad for the two Tests. His inclusion all-but ends Glenn Maxwell’s chances of adding to his seven Test caps.Cooper Connolly has been called up with an eye on the future.•Getty ImagesMaxwell had long held out hope of being included for the tour having come very close to being include in the XI on the last tour of Sri Lanka in 2022.Konstas and Webster had a significant impact on the final two Tests against India. Konstas made 60 off 65 balls at the MCG while Webster made a half-century on debut in Sydney as well as contributing with the ball.Webster’s success, plus the likely availability of Cameron Green later in the year following back surgery, led former captain Aaron Finch to believe it will be tough for Marsh to return to the format.”I think it’ll be really difficult for Mitch to get back into the side now,” Aaron Finch said on ESPN’s . “There is not a huge amount of cricket left in this summer to force a case, with Cameron Green coming back in early March. For me, it’ll be unlikely.”There are just three specialist quicks travelling with incumbents Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland joined by Sean Abbott.The first Test begins on January 29 with the squad first heading to the UAE for a training camp.Australia squad vs Sri LankaSteven Smith, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster

Kevin De Bruyne compared Belgium team-mate Malick Fofana to Jeremy Doku but warned the Lyon star he must reach a higher level.

De Bruyne praises Fofana but says Lyon is not City’s levelBelgian winger continues to impress with club and countryLiverpool and Chelsea were interested in signing the 20-year-oldFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Fofana has returned to Lyon training after impressive outings with Belgium. The young winger bagged his first international goal with a stoppage-time goal against Liechtenstein in World Cup qualifying. His heroics sparked praise from Napoli midfielder De Bruyne, who said Fofana reminds him of Manchester City’s Doku, as both are quick wingers who like to take on defenders. However, De Bruyne also gave the 20-year-old a reality check, stressing that he still has work to do to reach Doku’s level, with the City star already proving himself at the very top.

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Lyon made a bold call in the summer to keep hold of Fofana, even as they let Georges Mikautadze head to Villarreal. Everton had also approached the winger, but he turned it down to keep developing at OL. In his debut season, the 20-year-old bagged 11 goals and six assists across all competitions, and he has already started this campaign with a goal and an assist in his first three matches. His form had caught the attention of Premier League giants Liverpool and Chelsea, who also enquired about the Belgian. However, the youngster believes staying at Lyon is the right step for his growth. 

Getty Images SportWHAT DE BRUYNE SAID

When questioned by the Belgian press, Kevin De Bruyne was full of praise for his young Belgian team-mate, while urging people not to overrate him too soon.

"Is Malick similar in style to Doku? Yes, they are both wingers, fairly small, fast," he said. "Of course, Jeremy has been with us for five or six years. He also plays for Manchester City, which, with all due respect, is a level above Lyon. Malick is younger and still developing."

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AFPWHAT'S NEXT FOR MALICK FOFANA AND KEVIN DE BRYUNE

Fofana will now look to carry his international form back to Lyon as they try to climb the Ligue 1 table, starting with a match against Rennes on September 15. De Bruyne, meanwhile, starred for Belgium with two goals and an assist in their 6-0 win over Kazakhstan, and the former City star has also hit the ground running at Napoli with two goals in his first two games.

Last season, little was expected of Arne Slot’s Liverpool. In the overtures to the campaign, anyway.

But then Liverpool started playing, started to strut their stuff in a new system. Slot’s side ceded ground in just two of their opening 13 Premier League matches, creating a gulf that proved too wide for the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City to bridge.

In fairness, the overarching scepticism was understandable. Jurgen Klopp had stood down from his revered post, and historic cases of similarity in the Premier League suggested the Reds were in for a rough ride.

But FSG chose wisely when swiping Feyenoord’s shrewd head coach, who indeed won the English top flight in his maiden year and did so with relative ease.

Now, Liverpool are showing ruthless ambition in the summer transfer market as they look to consolidate their position of power over the coming years.

So many bumper deals have been pulled off already, the latest of which is set to be the £79m signing of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, but Luis Diaz’s uncertain future could see another one cross the line.

Liverpool looking to replace Luis Diaz

Liverpool have completed a plethora of exciting signings this summer, and there may well be more still to come. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid, and now Diaz could be on the move too.

The Colombian winger, 28, has just shy of two years remaining on his contract, and Liverpool have not engaged in any concrete talks to extend his stay on Merseyside.

While the outward stance has been that Diaz is not for sale, FSG may have a tacit acceptance that he could be sold, with Bayern Munich pressing ahead and trying to sign him after seeing an opening £58.5m offer knocked back earlier in July.

It goes without saying that Liverpool would need to replace such a crucial part of Slot’s set-up, and while the likes of Real Madrid’s Rodrygo have been touted, the Reds seem willing to head down a shrewder track.

Liverpool open talks for Diaz replacement

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool chiefs are holding talks with the agents of Malick Fofana, who has been linked with a move away from Lyon this summer.

Bayern are also keen on signing the Belgium international, but only if Liverpool bar Diaz’s potential departure this summer. Thus, Liverpool shouldn’t face stiff competition if the various cogs fall into place.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Lyon would hope to secure as much as €60m (£51m) for Fofana’s sale, but FSG would no doubt hope to sign the 20-year-old for a more modest figure.

Why Liverpool want Malick Fofana

Liverpool want Fofana because, if Diaz leaves, they will need to sign a left-sided forward. But why, specifically, has Fofana been earmarked as an option alongside a superstar such as Rodrygo, who Los Blancos have priced at £87m?

Well, Fofana would come at a cheaper price, and with Cody Gakpo already occupying Liverpool’s attacking left flank, this might be a more prudent move.

Fofana’s term-and-a-half in Ligue 1 has garnered praise. Analyst Ben Mattinson hailed his “explosive” qualities down the wing, and having now completed 62 senior appearances for Lyon after joining from Genk in Belgium, he has scored 15 goals and supplied seven assists.

Moreover, he’s positionally versatile, with this a skill which Slot would put to good use, for he did the same with Diaz last season.

Left winger

55

7

7

Right winger

9

2

1

Centre-forward

7

0

2

Attacking midfield

2

2

0

Though he’s not yet reached full bloom, Fofana has the makings of a prolific winger, and in this way, he could be the perfect partner for Ekitike, who is on the brink of completing his move to Merseyside.

As per FBref, Fofana ranked among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for non-penalty goals, the top 16% for touches in the attacking box and the top 2% for progressive carries per 90, underscoring his burgeoning potency and pace.

In order to maximise Fofana’s potential as a goalscoring winger, playing alongside a “complete forward” like Ekitike, as he has been named by talent scout Jacek Kulig, would only enhance such a quality.

Ekitike might be a striker first and foremost, but he’s also an exceptionally dynamic and intelligent player. Last season, in the German Bundesliga, he created 12 big chances and averaged 1.3 key passes and 4.2 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore.

Slot will expect the France talent to add goalscoring threat, but he’ll also expect him to widen the creative parameters of his frontline, utilising that off-the-ball movement and playmaking prowess to enhance Mohamed Salah’s chances, and indeed Fofana’s too.

Further evidence of Fofana’s clinical potential can be found in his conversion rate. Sofascore also record that the young winger has only missed six big chances since arriving in France for the first time in January 2024, and given that he’s scored eight goals, he’s got that natural-born coolness in the final third to make things happen.

Moreover, his efforts in the Europa League last year had something interesting to say about his potential. Fofana scored six goals across Lyon’s continental campaign without missing a single big chance.

There’s so much to like, and given the richness of Liverpool’s squad, which will be richer still once Ekitike’s deal has been wrapped up, Fofana would make a wise decision in entrusting Slot with his development over the next few years.

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يستعد فريق برشلونة، بقيادة المدرب هانز فليك، لخوض مباراته في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم مساء يوم الأحد، وذلك ضد خصمه فالنسيا.

ويستضيف ملعب “يوهان كرويف” مباراة برشلونة وفالنسيا، في إطار منافسات الجولة الرابعة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2025/26.

ويحتل برشلونة حاليًا المركز الخامس برصيد 7 نقاط، في حين أن فالنسيا لديه 4 نقاط في المركز الحادي عشر في جدول الليجا.

ويفتقد برشلونة خدمات النجم لامين يامال بعدما أعلن المدرب هانز فليك، في مؤتمره الصحفي أمس، أنه يعاني من إصابة ستجبره على الغياب عن مباراة اليوم، وربما نيوكاسل يونايتد يوم الخميس المقبل في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

تشكيل برشلونة أمام فالنسيا في الدوري الإسباني.. موقف ليفاندوفسكي تشكيل برشلونة المتوقع أمام فالنسيا اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

حراسة المرمى: خوان جارسيا.

خط الدفاع: جول كوندي، إريك جارسيا، باو كوبارسي، جيرارد مارتن.

خط الوسط: بيدري، كاسادو.

خط الوسط الهجومي: فيرمين لوبيز، داني أولمو، رافينها.

خط الهجوم: فيران توريس. 

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا. 

Liverpool have found out their fate for their title defence in 2025/26. The Premier League fixtures were confirmed on Tuesday morning, with Arne Slot hoping to lead his team to the title for the second year in a row.

With Florian Wirtz set to join soon, and the experience of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the squad, they have an exciting side. Indeed, those players and their teammates will begin the title defence on Friday, 15th August, at home to Bournemouth. Their first away trip will see them travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United.

It has already been a busy summer at Anfield, and things will now only ramp up with the announcement of the fixtures.

Liverpool's latest transfer target

Liverpool’s 2025 summer window has started quickly. They already have Jeremie Frimpong in the door, and seem set to add Wirtz and Milos Kerkez from the Cherries, sooner rather than later. Then, the attention can turn to their next reported target.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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The highly reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano has recently confirmed on YouTube, via Caught Offside, that the Reds hold “concrete interest” in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. Romano explained that Reds ‘are involved in the story’ for the Frenchman this summer.

However, the deal can’t progress yet, because Liverpool ‘are waiting to find a solution for Darwin Nunez’, who will leave the club this summer.

Once that transfer has gone through, a move for Ekitike might speed up. The Mirror recently quoted his price at £60m, so it is safe to assume the Merseysiders will need to pay somewhere in that region.

Why Ekitike could help Salah break more records

At just 22 years of age, Frankfurt superstar Ekitike has garnered himself a fantastic reputation, having shone in the 2025/25 campaign. Football scout Antonio Mango once called him a “gem” of a footballer while journalist Graeme Bailey has outlined how some think he could be “the next Mbappe”. It is easy to see why.

The Frenchman, who came through the Reims academy, where he was born, managed to score 22 goals and grab 12 assists across all competitions last season.

He played 48 games and was a really important part of a Frankfurt side that finished third and qualified for the Champions League.

Indeed, Ekitike comes with a great pedigree in Europe, too. Of his 34 goals and assists last term, seven came in the Europa League, which included a goal away to eventual winners, and Liverpool’s Premier League rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.

If the Reds are able to get this deal over the line, Ekitike could become the perfect player alongside Salah. The Liverpool legend was sensational yet again last season, winning the Golden Boot with his 29 goals and picking up 18 assists, too.

With 87 assists to his name in the Premier League and no signs of slowing down, there is a realistic chance that the man lovingly dubbed the “Egyptian King” by the Anfield faithful could climb higher up the list of all-time most assists in the English top flight.

Ryan Giggs currently tops it with 162 assists, so Salah has some way to go, but matching his assist total from 2024/25 next season will see him climb to fourth and go far ahead of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.

Ekitike could be the perfect player to help get him there. His underlying stats on FBref from last season are those of a true goalscorer, with 0.53 goals per 90 minutes ranking him in the top 19% of Bundesliga forwards.

The Frenchman is a complete centre-forward, and wouldn’t just help boost Salah’s assist numbers. He is a chance creator too, averaging 1.55 key passes each game, which places him in the top 12% of Bundesliga forwards. With Salah’s eye for goal, they could form a deadly duo.

Ekitike key stats from 2024/25 Bundesliga season

Stat (per 90)

Ekitike

Percentile vs. Bundesliga forwards

Goals

0.53

81st

Goals and assists

0.81

88th

Expected goals

0.76xG

95th

Key passes

1.55

88th

Shot-creating actions

3.55

84th

Stats from FBref

There is no doubt that Liverpool’s investment this summer has been huge, but in many ways, it has to be in order to compete for the Premier League title again. Perhaps, for just £60m, Ekitike could be the missing piece in their side.

It will be fascinating to see how this move develops, but one thing is for sure: the Frenchman could form a superb partnership with an all-time legend of the Premier League.

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Having already reached a verbal agreement to sign Botafogo trio Igor Jesus, Cuiabano and Jair Cunha, Nottingham Forest are now reportedly ready to take the next step in their move to sign a 20-goal forward this summer.

Nottingham Forest reach agreement to sign Jesus

Whilst both Cuibana and Cunha are impressive in their own rights, Jesus is the name that stands out the most. The talented forward is a Brazilian international and joins after showcasing his goalscoring prowess in Brazil – netting seven and creating another one in 24 games throughout the current campaign. With Chris Wood not getting any younger, the arrival of the 24-year-old couldn’t be coming at a better time.

Spending for the first time this summer, owner Evangelos Marinakis clearly means business. The Greek businessman will, like everyone else at the City Ground, will be desperate to see a repeat of the season just gone when August arrives.

Nottingham Forest came within touching distance of Champions League qualification, before being forced to settle for the Europa Conference League. Set for a European tour nonetheless, Nuno Espirito Santo and his side will be hoping to cause even greater shocks next season.

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Whether those in the Midlands prove to be one-hit-wonders or push on next season is the big question. Already, the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White have been linked with moves away to Manchester City in what would be a damaging departure for Forest.

As stars head for the exit door, however, further arrivals could yet join Jesus, Cunha and Cuiabano at the City Ground to strengthen Espirito Santo’s squad.

Nottingham Forest readying next step in Wissa move

According to The Athletic, Nottingham Forest are now readying their next step to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford this summer. Those at the City Ground were interested in the forward in January, but were quickly put off by his £40m valuation. Now, six months later, it looks as though they’re set to go again in pursuit of the impressive striker.

Negotiations are unlikely to be easier this time around, though. Brentford are already likely to lose Bryan Mbeumo this summer amid interest from Manchester United and there’s no denying that losing Wissa on top of their main talisman would deal Thomas Frank the biggest blow of his time in the Premier League.

After scoring 20 goals in all competitions throughout the campaign, Forest’s interest in Wissa should of course come as little surprise. Frank is well aware of the quality that his forward, who has become a superstar in his homeland with 31 caps for DR Congo, possesses.

The Brentford boss was full praise for both Wissa and Mbeumo back in April, telling reporters: “It’s a duo, of course, him and Wissa. Wissa is fantastic. He has scored actually more open-play goals than Brian still. But Brian is the penalty taker, unbelievable at penalties, assists, work ethic, an unbelievable player.”

Chelsea have now held internal talks over a move for a “world-class” star after a surprise recent development, according to a report.

Blues' Champions League pursuit back on track

The Blues’ form has been shaky since the turn of the year, but they are now back on track in their pursuit of qualification for next season’s Champions League after defeating Liverpool 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Cole Palmer was back among the goals, netting a stoppage-time penalty to seal his side’s victory, which solidifies them in fifth place with just three games left to play.

As such, the west Londoners should be in a strong position to attract some top players this summer, and they are once again looking at bolstering their forward options, with signing a new winger on the agenda.

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Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens are among the main targets in wide areas, and there is also a feeling that Enzo Maresca could look at strengthening through the middle, despite having Palmer at his disposal.

That is according to a report from The Boot Room, which states Chelsea are now holding internal talks over a move for Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne, who is set to exit the Etihad Stadium on a free transfer this summer.

De Bruyne is very much the one that got away for the Blues, but he could now be in line for a return to Stamford Bridge. There is some surprise in Manchester that the Belgian is now open to remaining in the Premier League or Europe, as City had expected him to depart for Saudi Arabia or the USA.

The likes of Arsenal and Aston Villa could provide competition for his signature, while there also remains a possibility he makes the move to the MLS, with Chicago Fire now said to be in advanced talks.

Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Newcastle United (a)

May 11th

Manchester United (h)

May 16th

Nottingham Forest (a)

May 25th

"World-class" De Bruyne still impressing at City

In many ways, it is a surprise that Man City are willing to let the 33-year-old leave on a free transfer this summer, given that he is still impressing, despite his age, most recently bagging a crucial goal in his side’s 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

During his time with Chelsea, the £400k-per-week maestro never really managed to stand out, but he has been a revelation at the Etihad Stadium, amassing a stunning 72 goals and 121 assists in 285 Premier League appearances for the Blues.

Former footballer Paul McVeigh has also lavished the Belgium international with praise recently, describing him as “world-class” and “one of the greatest midfielders ever to play the game.”

As such, while there will be some concern about De Bruyne’s age, there are plenty of signs he could still have a lot left to give at Premier League level, and City’s loss could be Chelsea’s gain.

Aston Villa will have to go for broke when they welcome PSG to Villa Park in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

The Premier League side trails 3-1 after the first leg and, given how dominant the French side has been this season, it will be an extremely tall order for Unai Emery to mastermind a 3-0 win which will secure progress into the last four.

The club take on Southampton in the top flight this weekend. However, Emery will likely make a change or two, especially considering how important the second leg is.

Morgan Rogers shone against the Ligue 1 outfit, but the manager should rest him up ahead of the second leg.

How Morgan Rogers performed against PSG

Despite the 3-1 loss to the current French champions, Rogers was one of Villa’s shining lights. The Englishman opened the scoring after 35 minutes at the Parc des Princes with a nice little finish inside the box to give the away side a confidence boost.

Elsewhere, Rogers also created a big chance, made one key pass, attempted four dribbles – succeeding with one – and was fouled twice during his time on the pitch.

Southampton have already been relegated from the top flight after a dismal season. With this in mind, Emery must ruthlessly ditch Rogers from his starting XI in order to unleash a player who hasn’t had many chances to shine since joining the club from Borussia Dortmund in January.

Donyell Malen, however, scored in their last two league outings, against Brighton and Nottingham Forest respectively, indicating that he deserves another chance this weekend.

Why Donyell Malen must start against Southampton

The Netherlands international wasn’t included in Villa’s Champions League squad for the knockout rounds, hence why it makes perfect sense to bring him back into the starting XI this weekend.

Across nine league matches, Malen has scored twice, while having a 22% goal conversion percentage and has even missed two big chances, suggesting he might have had another goal or two with more accurate finishing.

Donyell Malen’s statistics this season (league only)

Metric

Bundesliga

Premier League

Goals

2

3

Assists

0

0

Big chances created

0

1

Shots on target per game

0.8

0.4

Goal conversion percentage

22%

16%

Via Sofascore

During his spell in the Bundesliga, Malen received high praise from his former teammate Mario Götze, who said: “Donyell is extremely fast and very dangerous. If he has a chance, it’s usually a goal, too.”

In the first half of the season for Dortmund, Malen scored five goals for the German side, including one against Real Madrid in the group stages of the Champions League.

Hardly the most prolific tally in the world, yet when compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Malen currently ranks in the top 1% for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.64) and in the top 9% for total shots per 90 (3.47) over the previous 365 days.

These statistics make him the perfect choice for Emery against the Saints. Not only will it give Rogers a rest ahead of the second leg, but unleashing Malen will give him the chance to score for the third Premier League game in a row.

Therefore, the Spanish must axe the England international from the starting XI for his own good, rather than for performance-related reasons, to bring the January addition in.

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